Barbecue grill

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for direct or indirect grilling and/or smoking of meats, fowl, fish using fuel such as charcoal comprising a ventilated housing which can be divided by a removable wall into two separate cooking zones, each of which contains a grill assembly including spaced vertical fireboxes and horizontal grills.

United States Patent Rast, Jr.

[54] BARBECUE GRILL [72] Inventor: Henry J. Rast, Jr., P. O. Box 444,

Johns Island, S.C. 29455 22 Filed: Feb. 17, 1971 21 Appl. No: 116,003

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuationin-part of Ser. No.857,487, Sept.

12, 1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. ..99/340, 99/389, 99/446,

[5 1] Int. CL... ..A47j 37/07 [58] Field of Search ..99/340, 259, 339,341-343, 99/345, 389-390, 393, 421, 443, 446-447,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,836,894 12/1931 Bedigian..l26/25RUX 145.] Aug. 15,1972

Tate ..99/421 H X 2,441,190 5/1948 P111161..- .;...126/25 R 2,608,1918/1952 Schmidt et al. ..126/25 R 2,923,229 2/1960 Halford ..99/3393,079,208 2/1963 Compton ..99/339 x 3,091,170 5/1963 Wilson ..126/25 A X3,276,35l' 10/1966 Sundhollmmn' ..99/339 3,306,280 2/1967 Vannoy..126/25 R 3,324,788 6/1967 Primary Examiner-Walter A. Scheel AssistantExaminer-Arthur 0. Henderson Att0meyBirch, Swindler, McKie & Beckett[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for direct or indirect grilling and/or smokingof meats, fowl, fish using fuel such as charcoal comprising a ventilatedhousing which can be divided by a removable wall into two separatecooking zones, each of which contains a grill assembly including spacedvertical fireboxes and horizontal grills.

19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures La France ..99/446 X' PATENTEDAUB 15 I9723.683.791

sum 1 .ur a

I'NVENTOR flaw/er J P/qszJe.

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAHGISIQIZ 3.683.791

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RN mm PATENTEDAUG 15 I972 SHEET BF 8 INVEN TOR 1 3 5. fi EA/EYJFASZJQATTORNEYS PATENTEDAUG 15 1972 3.683.791

sum 7 or a INVENTOR HENRY J.RAST,JR.

ATTORNEYS RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-partof applica-' tion Ser. No. 857,487 filed Sept. 12, 1969, now abancloned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various designs of barbecue grills and ovenshave been proposed in the past. However, most of such barbecue unitshave been unsatisfactory for one or more of the following reasons: (1)difficulty in cleaning, (2) only one type of cookingcan be performedthereon, (3) difficult to assemble and disassemble, (4) uneven cookingrequiring careful rearrangement of the food in order to obtain uniformcooking, and/or (5) the drippings from the food fell directly on to thecharcoal causing flame-ups and undesirable quantities of smoke. Whilemany of the individual drawbacks mentioned above have been solved byvarious previously known cooking apparatus, it is not believed that allhave been solved in one unit.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a versatilebarbeque unit which can be used for preparing food in several selectivemodes of operation.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a highlyeffective barbecue unit which is easy to assemble, disassemble andclean. 7

It is still another object of the invention to provide a barbecue grillcapable of cooking the good on both sides simultaneously and in thepresence of a controlled amount of smoke.

SUMMARY Generally speaking, the invention comprises a barbecue grill forpreparing food with solid fuel, such as charcoal. A ventilated housinghaving end walls,

sidewalls and a bottom wall defines a chamber in which is mounted agrill assembly which includes a number of parts. A pair of verticallydisposed fireboxes for receiving thefuel' are supported in the housingparallel and contiguous to the sidewalls. In a first embodiment, asupport rail is mounted in between the fireboxes for maintaining thespaced apart relationship of the same. An upper horizontal grill toreceive the food to be cooked is positioned on the support rail andextends from one firebox to the other, with its outer edges supported bythe inner edges of the tops of the fireboxes. A cover may extend overthe top of the housing provided with a reflective surface in order todirect the radiant heat from thefireboxes onto the top of the grill tocook the upper side of the food. In a second embodiment of theinvention, the upper horizontal grill lockingly engages the tops of thefireboxes. Spacing between the fireboxes is maintained by the upperhorizontal grill and by a drip pan positioned below the upperhorizontalgrill between the fireboxes. In both embodiments, the housingcan be divided by a removable wall or divider into two separate cookingzones. Each of the zones contains a grill assembly and can be utilizedfor cooking as described in the preceding paragraph either separately oras a single unit. Further more, the two zones may be used simultaneouslyfor different types of cooking. For example, the fuel may be in thefireboxes for indirect cooking in one zone and spread in flat fashiondirectly below the upper horizontal grill for direct cooking in theother zone.

DRAWINGS Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent by the following detailed description and drawings of aspecific embodiment thereof wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevationalview of the invention showing a barbecuegrill and oven with the cover closed;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with portionsremoved, showing the vents in the upper portion of the cover; a

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view partially in section taken along the line33 of FIG. 1 showing the vents in the bottom of the unit; 7

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of a first embodiment of theinvention taken longitudinally through the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,with portions removed, showing the separate cooking zones of the unit;

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 ofFIG. 4 and showing the cover in phantom lines in its open position;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of the various component partsof the grill assemblies of a first embodiment of the invention which.fit inside the housing shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a transverse cross sectional view of a second embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 ofFIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view of the various component partsof the grillassemblies of a second embodiment of the invention which fitinside the housing shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 16 and 17 is substantially rectangular inshape forming a chamber, designated 18, therebetween. An arcuatelyshaped cover 21 is hingedly connected at 22 to the sidewall 13, as shownin FIG. 5. The cover 21, as shown in phantom lines at 21, is in the openposition.The' cover 21 includes end walls 23 and 24 defining a chamber26. The angle to which-the cover 21 .can be opened is controlled by apair of chains 27 and 28. The chain 27 is secured at one end to a rod 29extending from the end wall 14, and secured at the other end to a hook30 which extends laterally from the end wall 23 of the cover 21. Thechain 28 is connected in a similar manner to the end walls 16 and .24.Also, handles 31 are provided on the surface of the cover 21 oppositefrom the hinges 22 to facilitate opening and closing of the cover.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, there is shown in detail the grill assemblies ofa first embodiment of the invention which are mounted within the chamber18 in the housing 11. Supported on the base 17 are a pair of bottomsupport members 32 and 33. The support member 32 includes a pair of endwalls 34 and 35 and three member 32 is adapted to rest on the base 17 atone end of the chamber 18 while the other support member 33 is similarlysupported immediately adjacent thereto. The support member 33 isconstructed in an identical manner to member 32.

The-upper surface of the walls 34-38 are adapted to receive and supporta lower horizontal grill 41, while the support element 33 receives asimilar lower horizontal grill 42. The grills'4l and 42 serve severalfunctions depending upon the particular mode of cooking. For example, itis possible to place the fuel, such as charcoal, on the grills 41 and/or42 for direct cooking. In this case the charcoal would be immediatelybelow the food being prepared, and it would be necessary to turn thefood at least once in order to obtain cooking on both sides. In anothermode of operation, the grills 41 and 42 can serve as supports for drippans designated 43, 44, 45 and 46. In this mode of operation, as will bedescribed hereinafter, the grills do not act to hold the fuel on theirsurfaces but instead form the foundation for two pairs of opposed,spaced fireboxes designated 47, 48, 49 and 50. Each of the fireboxes47-50 includes a base, vertical sidewalls, and end walls and are open atthe top. The fireboxes 4750 can be filled with charcoal to provide heatfor indirect cooking. Mounted between the fireboxes 47 and 48 is a firstsupport rail- 52 which is slidably received in slotted U-shaped brackets53 and 54 mounted on the inner opposed walls of the fireboxes 47 and 48,respectively. A similar support rail 56 is slidably mounted between thefireboxes 49 and 50 in a like manner. The support rails 52 and 56, inaddition to maintaining the spacing of the fireboxes 47-50, also serveas laterally extending supports for upper horizontal grills 57 and 58,respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper grill 57 plans the entirewidth between the fireboxes and is supported on the inner top edges ofthe fireboxes 47 and 48 as well.

The grills 57 and 58 are identical and interchangeable with one anotherand are also identical and interchangeable with the grills 41 and 42,thereby simplifying the construction thereof. The grills 57 and 58 areadapted to receive the food to be cooked. When it is desired to use onlyone of the grills 57 or 58 a removable wall or divider 59 may beinserted therebetween to form two separate and substantially identicalcooking compartments or zones within the housing. Moreover, with thedivider 59 in place the two grill assemblies may be used separately fordifferent purposes. For example, direct heating can be effected in onezone and indirect heating in the other. Of course, if it is desired tocook a large piece of meat such as a side of beef, a pig or the like,the divider 59 may be removed in which case the housing 11 forms asingle cooking compartment and the two grill assemblies function as asingle unit.

As shown in FIG. 5, the charcoal which is placed in the fireboxes 47-50is positioned below the grills 57 and 58 so as to supply heat to thebottom side of food placed thereon. Radiant heat also emanates upwardlyagainst the inside surface of the cover 21. This radiant heat isredirected or reflected downwardly onto the upper surface of the grills57 and 58 and any food positioned thereon by placing a reflectivematerial, such as aluminum foil, on the inside of the cover 21. The foilcan be held against the upper surface of the cover 21 by four curvedstraps 62 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The straps can be removably secured to thecover 21 by any conventional means, such as wing nuts 63 which can befastened on bolts 64 extending inwardly from the cover 21 throughapertures or slots in the straps 62.

In addition to placing foil on the inside of the cover v 21, foil canalso be placed over the upper surface of the base 17 and over the drippans 43-46. in order to facilitate cleaning of the respective members.

The temperature inside the barbecue grill 10 as well as the quantity ofsmoke therein can be controlled by a plurality of air vents to bedescribed hereinafter. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cover 21 isprovided with a plurality of apertures 66 which extend along the apex ofthe cover 21. A pair of slidable plates 67 and 68 are mounted inbrackets 69 above the apertures 66 and are provided with apertures 70and 71, respectively, which are substantially the same size as theapertures 66. Longitudinal movement by the respective handles 72 and 73of the plates 67 and 68 from the open position shown in FIG. 4 resultsin a partial or total closing of the apertures 66 depending upon theexact position of the plates. Thus, the flow of air and other gasesthrough the apertures 66 can be controlled from a maximum to essentiallyno flow.

Likewise, the base 17 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is provided withapertures 76 arranged in four parallel lines. Mounted beneath theapertures 76 are four separate, similarly apertures plates 77, 78, 79and 80 which operate in the same manner as the vents describedhereinabove in the cover 21. As the apertures 66 and 76 are furtheropened the amount of oxygen available to the fuel is increased andthereby the rate of combustion and the amount of heat generated arelikewise increased. Similarly, as the draft or venting is decreased, therate of combustion within the unit 10 is decreased and at the same timethe accumulation of smoke is increased. Thus, if it is desired to cookthe food more slowly and in the presence of a substantial amount ofsmoke,,the apertures 66 and 76 should be regulated accordingly. Ofcourse, if the vents are totally closed, and assuming that the remainderof the grill is substantially airtight, there may not be enough oxygenwithin the unit 10 to support combustion of the fuel.

As described previously, the utilization of the divider 59 permits theseparate cooking chambers created thereby to be utilized eitherseparately or simultaneously and under different temperature and smokeconditions. Thus, if a fast grilling of one type of food is desiredsimultaneously with a slower smoking and cooking of another food, thiscan be accomplished by regulating the venting conditions of the separatecompartments. Furthermore, it is possible to grill food directly oneither of the upper grills 57 or 58 without the utilization of thefireboxes 47-50. Thus, the versatility of the subject invention whichpermits 'numerous arrangements of cooking either simultaneously or atdifferent times is apparent.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the housing 11 is supported on four legs 82which extend downwardly from the base 17. The legs 82 are each providedwith wheels 83 mounted on axles 84 so that the unit can be moved fromone position to another. Mounted between the legs 82 lengthwise andwidthwise are struts 85 and 86 to add rigidity to the structure. Thestruts 85 also act as supports for a pair of ash pans 87 which catch theashes which may fall through the apertures 76 in the base 17.

A table 88 is supported atone end of the housing 11 by any convenientmeans such as an angle iron 89 (FIG. 1). Depending from the table 88 arelegs 91 and 92 which are secured to an axle (now shown) to which areconnected another pair of wheels 93. The table 88 is convenient'forsupporting food either in preparation for cooking or after removal fromthe barbecue unit 10.

The grill assemblies are retained securely in place without anyfastenings. The bottom supports 32 and 33 fit snugly within the housingin contiguous relation to each other and to the end walls of thehousing. When the partition 59 is in place, it functions as one end wallfor each heating zone. The fireboxes are positioned parallel andcontiguous to the side walls of the housing. Their respective ends arecontiguous to the end walls of the housing and the divider 59. Thus,when the spacers 52 and 56 are in place the fireboxes are held snugly inplace by the housing walls. The spacing of the spacers 52 and 53 abovethe lower horizontal grills provide room for the drip pans or forcharcoal. The fireboxes of the one grill assembly are aligned in closeend-to-end relationship to the fireboxes of the other grill assembly.The two lower horizontal grills are co-planar and the two upperhorizontal grills are co-planar.

After the barbecue unit has been used and is ready for cleaning, thecover 21 is opened and (as shown in FIG. 6) the various elements may beremoved seriatirn 7' merely by lifting them upwardly since no fasteningsare required. The various parts of thegrill assembly are held in placesolely by upward and lateral restraint imposed by each other and by thehousing. The upper grills 57 and 58 should first be removed followed bythe firebox spacers 52 and 56. The divider 59 may also be removed atthis time. The fireboxes 47-50 may then be lifted out of the housing 12,followed by the drip pans 43-46. Thereafter the lower grills 41 and 42may be removed as well as the bottom supports 32 and 33. After removalof the ashes from the bottom of the housing and replacement of foilthereover, the variouselements can then sequentially be placed back inthe housing after suitable cleaning merely by lowering them in place inreverse order. It should be noted that if the base 17 is covered withfoil, holes should be punctured inthe foil corresponding with theapertures 76 (FIG. 4) so as to permit free venting in the housing 1 1.

If desired, the barbecue unit 10 can be made half as long by eliminatingone of the grill assemblies. The housing would be reduced in length sothat its two end walls would be contiguous to the remaining grillassembly. Such a single unit apparatus could be of any desired length.

The major portion of the interior elements of the housing 11 arepreferably constructed of diamond mesh expanded metal which isrelatively inexpensive, lightweight and easy to clean. The elements madeof expanded metal as shown in the drawings include the bottom supports32 and 33, the lower grills 41 and 42, the fireboxes 47-50, the spacersS2 and S6, and the upper grills 57 and 58. As will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, other material of an open work nature such as heavywire mesh can be used to construct the various elements.

A second embodiment of the invention utilizing grill assembliesdifferent from those of the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7-9.

The grill assemblies of the second embodiment of the invention areadapted to be mounted within chamber 18 in housing 11. Supported on base17 is a bottom support frame indicated generally at 101 having aplurality of support legs 103 attached to side members. 104-107 and acenter member 108. Attached to side members 105 and 107, and to centermember 108, are a plurality of inwardly extending support arms 110 uponwhich rest the drip pans or the lower horizontal grills hereinafterdescribed. A plurality of upstanding fingers 112 can also be provided onside members 105 and 107 in order to confine the drip pans or lowerhorizontal grills. Bottom support frame 101 is adapted V to rest on thebase 17 with legs 103 in contact therewith, and upon frame 101 rest twodrip pans 115 and 1 16 or a pair of lower horizontal grills. These lowergrills are not illustrated in conjunction with the second embodiment ofthe invention, but can be identical to those described above with thefirst embodiment of the invention. The lower horizontal grills aresubstituted for the drip pans when it is desired to. use direct cookingby placing the charcoal directly beneath the food. Although two drippans 115 and 116 are shown, it should be understood that any appropriatenumber may equally well be utilized with the invention. When a pluralityof drip pans are utilized, it is advantageous to provide greasedeflectors 117 to span the gap between the edges of adjacent drip pansas shown in FIG. 8, in order to insure that all grease is collected inthe drip pans rather than allowed to drain down to the bottom 17 ofhousing 11. Although not illustrated in FIGS. 7-9,

a divider may be placed between drip pans 115 and 1 16 in order toprovide two separate identical cooking compartments, as discussed indetail above in regard to the first embodiment of the invention and asshown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Obviously, when such a divider is used,deflectors 117'are removed.

Also supported by bottom support frame 101 are a plurality of sidefireboxes 120-123 which can be of expanded metal construction and intowhich charcoal is placed when the indirect mode of heating is desired.Each firebox 120 comprises a base, inner and outer vertical side walls,and end walls, and is open at the top. Fireboxes 120-123 are contiguouswith the side walls 12 and 13 of chamber 11, and rest upon side members104-108. Drip pans 115 and 116 are mounted between opposed pairs offireboxes and function to maintain the lower spacing between thefireboxes. Mounted on the tops of fireboxes 120-123 are two upperhorizontal grills 124 and 125 having U-shaped brackets 126 thatlockingly engage the inner side walls of the fireboxes. Fireboxes120-123 thus provide support for grills 124 and 125, and the grills lendstability and maintain the proper upper spacing between. opposed pairsof fireboxes. FIG. 7 clearly illustrates the interrelationship betweenfireboxes, drip pans, and upper horizontal grills that maintains thespacing between each pair of opposed fireboxes.

The grill assembly of this second embodiment of the invention, like thatof the first embodiment, is installed in housing 11 without the use offasteners or connectors. The interaction of the various parts insuresthe proper relationship of elements and stability of construction. Thus,all elements are easily removable and easily cleaned. Bottom supportframe 101 fits snugly within the bottom of housing 11. Each drip pan isof such width as to maintain proper spacing between the bottom ofopposed pairs of fireboxes. Proper spacing at the top of the fireboxesis provided by the upper horizontal grills. Adjacent grill assembliesare closely disposed in end to end relationship with their upperhorizontal grills and drip pans respectively in co-planar relationship.I v

In FIG. 8 there is shown an alternative arrangement for limiting theopening of hood 10 consisting of link 130 and 131 pivotally fastenedrespectively to hood l and housing 11, and to one another.

The operation of this second embodiment of the invention is identical tothat set forth above in regard to the first embodiment. By use of theside fireboxes 120-123 indirect cooking of foods placed upon upperhorizontal grills 124 and 125 is accomplished. Should direct cooking bedesired, the lower horizontal grills can be substituted for drip pans115 and 1 l6, and charcoal placed thereupon directly beneath the foodson the upper horizontal grills. The flow of heat within housing 11', andthe control of air flowing thereinto, is identical to that describedabove with regard to the first embodiment of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A barbecue grill for cooking food with charcoal, which comprises aventilated housing having end walls, side walls and a bottom defining achamber therein, and a grill assembly in said housing, said grillassembly comprising:

two 'spacedvertically disposed fireboxes in said housing parallel andcontiguous to said side walls for receiving charcoal;

spacer means mounted between and maintaining the spacing of saidfireboxes;

a bottom support member positioned below said fireboxesand having anupper supporting surface to maintain said fireboxes spaced above thebottom of said housing; and

an upper horizontal grill mounted above said spacer means and extendingfrom one firebox to the other for receiving the food to be cooked, saidupper horizontal grill having its outer edges supported by the inneredges of said fireboxes.

2. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 1 wherein said fireboxes, spacermeans, bottom support member and upper horizontal grill are maintainedin assembled relationship solely by upward and lateral restraint imposedby each other and said housing to permit them to be assembled anddisassembled merely by being lowered in and lifted out of said housing.

3. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 1 comprising a pair of saidgrill assemblies positioned in close end-toend relationship, and aremovable wall mounted between said assemblies to form one end wall foreach assembly, the fireboxes of the different assemblies being alignedin end-to-end relationship and the upper horizontal grills of thedifferent assemblies being coplanar, whereby said grill assemblies maybe used separately with said removable wall in place or as a single unitwith said removable wall removed.

4. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing includesa cover having a curved inner surface with reflective material thereon.

5. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 1 wherein said spacer meansincludes a support rail mounted between and maintaining the spacing ofsaid fireboxes.

6. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 5 further comprising a lowerhorizontal grill positioned on the top of said bottom support member andextending between the two spaced fireboxes.

7. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 6 further comprising brackets onsaid fireboxes to support said support rail spaced above said lowerhorizontal grill.

8. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 7 wherein said bottom supportmember rests on the bottom of said housing and includes vertical wallsextending both lengthwise and widthwise in said housing.

9. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 8 wherein said fireboxes,support rail, upper and lower horizontal grills, and bottom supportmembers, are constructed of expanded metal and are maintained inassembled relationship solely by upward and lateral restraint imposed byeach other and said housing to permit them to be assembled anddisassembled merely by being lowered in and lifted out of said housing.

10. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 9 wherein said upper and lowerhorizontal grills are identical and interchangeable.

11. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 10 further comprising aremovable drip pan mounted on said lower horizontal grill in the spacebelow said support rail. l

12. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 10 comprising a pair of saidgrill assemblies positioned in close end-to-end relationship, and aremovable wall mounted between said assemblies to form one end wall foreach assembly, the fireboxes of the different assemblies being alignedin end-to-end relationship and the upper and lower horizontal grills ofthe different assemblies being respectively coplanar, whereby said grillassemblies may be used either separately with said removable wall inplace or as a single unit with said removable wall removed.

13. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 11 wherein the upper and lowerhorizontal grills of each of said assemblies are identical andinterchangeable.

14. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 1 wherein said spacer meansincludes a drip pan positioned beneath said upper horizontal grillbetween said fireboxes and maintaining the spacing of said fireboxes.

15. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 14 wherein said spacer meansfurther includes brackets mounted on the outer edges of said upperhorizontal grill releasably engaging said fireboxes to support saidupper horizontal grill and to maintain the spacing between saidfireboxes.

16. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 15 wherein said bottom supportmember comprises a plurality of legs resting on the bottom of saidhousing, side members extending lengthwise and widthwise in saidhousing, and support arms carried by said side members and supportingsaid drip pans.

17. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 16 wherein said fireboxes,upper horizontal grill, drip pans, and bottom support members aremaintained in assembled relationship solely by upward and lateralrestraint imposed by each other and said housing to permit them to beassembled and disassembled merely by being lowered in and lifted out ofsaid housing.

18. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 17 comprising a pair of grillassemblies positioned in close end-toend relationship, and a removablewall mounted between said assemblies to form one end wall for eachassembly, the fireboxes of the different assemblies being aligned inendto-end relationship and the upper horizontal grills and drip pans ofthe different assemblies being respectively coplanar, whereby said grillassemblies may be used either separately with said removable wall inplace or as a single unit with said removable wall removed.

19. A barbecue grill for cooking food with charcoal, which comprises aventilated housing having end walls, side walls and a bottom defining achamber therein, and a cover having a curved inner surface, and a grillassembly positioned in said housing, said grill assembly comprising:

two spaced vertically disposed fireboxes in said housing parallel andcontiguous to said side walls for receiving charcoal,

an upper horizontal grill extending from one firebox tothe other forreceiving the food to be cooked, said upper horizontal grill having aplurality of downwardly extending brackets on the outer edges thereoflockingly engaging the inner edges of the tops of said fireboxes so thatsaid fireboxes support said upper horizontal grill and said upperhorizontal grill maintains the spacing of said fireboxes;

a drip pan positioned beneath said upper horizontal grill between saidfireboxes and further maintaining the spacing of said fireboxes; v

bottom support frame positioned below said fireboxes and maintainingsaid fireboxes and said said fireboxes, upper horizontal grill, drippan, and

bottom support member beingmaintained in assembled relationship solelybyupward and lateral restraint imposed by each other and said housing topermit them to be assembled and disassembled merely by being lowered inand lifted out of said housing.

1. A barbecue grill for cooking food with charcoal, which comprises aventilated housing having end walls, side walls and a bottom defining achamber therein, and a grill assembly in said housing, said grillassembly comprising: two spaced vertically disposed fireboxes in saidhousing parallel and contiguous to said side walls for receivingcharcoal; spacer means mounted between and maintaining the spacing ofsaid fireboxes; a bottom support member positioned below said fireboxesand having an upper supporting surface to maintain said fireboxes spacedabove the bottom of said housing; and an upper horizontal grill mountedabove said spacer means and extending from one firebox to the other forreceiving the food to be cooked, said upper horizontal grill having itsouter edges supported by the inner edges of said fireboxes.
 2. Abarbecue grill as recited in claim 1 wherein said fireboxes, spacermeans, bottom support member and upper horizontal grill are maintainedin assembled relationship solely by upward and lateral restraint imposedby each other and said housing to permit them to be assembled anddisassembled merely by being lowered in and lifted out of said housing.3. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 1 comprising a pair of saidgrill assemblies positioned in close end-to-end relationship, and aremovable wall mounted between said assemblies to form one end wall foreach assembly, the firebOxes of the different assemblies being alignedin end-to-end relationship and the upper horizontal grills of thedifferent assemblies being coplanar, whereby said grill assemblies maybe used separately with said removable wall in place or as a single unitwith said removable wall removed.
 4. A barbecue grill as recited inclaim 1 wherein said housing includes a cover having a curved innersurface with reflective material thereon.
 5. A barbecue grill as recitedin claim 1 wherein said spacer means includes a support rail mountedbetween and maintaining the spacing of said fireboxes.
 6. A barbecuegrill as recited in claim 5 further comprising a lower horizontal grillpositioned on the top of said bottom support member and extendingbetween the two spaced fireboxes.
 7. A barbecue grill as recited inclaim 6 further comprising brackets on said fireboxes to support saidsupport rail spaced above said lower horizontal grill.
 8. A barbecuegrill as recited in claim 7 wherein said bottom support member rests onthe bottom of said housing and includes vertical walls extending bothlengthwise and widthwise in said housing.
 9. A barbecue grill as recitedin claim 8 wherein said fireboxes, support rail, upper and lowerhorizontal grills, and bottom support members are constructed ofexpanded metal and are maintained in assembled relationship solely byupward and lateral restraint imposed by each other and said housing topermit them to be assembled and disassembled merely by being lowered inand lifted out of said housing.
 10. A barbecue grill as recited in claim9 wherein said upper and lower horizontal grills are identical andinterchangeable.
 11. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 10 furthercomprising a removable drip pan mounted on said lower horizontal grillin the space below said support rail.
 12. A barbecue grill as recited inclaim 10 comprising a pair of said grill assemblies positioned in closeend-to-end relationship, and a removable wall mounted between saidassemblies to form one end wall for each assembly, the fireboxes of thedifferent assemblies being aligned in end-to-end relationship and theupper and lower horizontal grills of the different assemblies beingrespectively coplanar, whereby said grill assemblies may be used eitherseparately with said removable wall in place or as a single unit withsaid removable wall removed.
 13. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 11wherein the upper and lower horizontal grills of each of said assembliesare identical and interchangeable.
 14. A barbecue grill as recited inclaim 1 wherein said spacer means includes a drip pan positioned beneathsaid upper horizontal grill between said fireboxes and maintaining thespacing of said fireboxes.
 15. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 14wherein said spacer means further includes brackets mounted on the outeredges of said upper horizontal grill releasably engaging said fireboxesto support said upper horizontal grill and to maintain the spacingbetween said fireboxes.
 16. A barbecue grill as recited in claim 15wherein said bottom support member comprises a plurality of legs restingon the bottom of said housing, side members extending lengthwise andwidthwise in said housing, and support arms carried by said side membersand supporting said drip pans.
 17. A barbecue grill as recited in claim16 wherein said fireboxes, upper horizontal grill, drip pans, and bottomsupport members are maintained in assembled relationship solely byupward and lateral restraint imposed by each other and said housing topermit them to be assembled and disassembled merely by being lowered inand lifted out of said housing.
 18. A barbecue grill as recited in claim17 comprising a pair of grill assemblies positioned in close end-to-endrelationship, and a removable wall mounted between said assemblies toform one end wall for each assembly, the fireboxes of the differentassemblies being aligned in end-to-end relationship and the upperhorizontal grills and drip panS of the different assemblies beingrespectively coplanar, whereby said grill assemblies may be used eitherseparately with said removable wall in place or as a single unit withsaid removable wall removed.
 19. A barbecue grill for cooking food withcharcoal, which comprises a ventilated housing having end walls, sidewalls and a bottom defining a chamber therein, and a cover having acurved inner surface, and a grill assembly positioned in said housing,said grill assembly comprising: two spaced vertically disposed fireboxesin said housing parallel and contiguous to said side walls for receivingcharcoal, an upper horizontal grill extending from one firebox to theother for receiving the food to be cooked, said upper horizontal grillhaving a plurality of downwardly extending brackets on the outer edgesthereof lockingly engaging the inner edges of the tops of said fireboxesso that said fireboxes support said upper horizontal grill and saidupper horizontal grill maintains the spacing of said fireboxes; a drippan positioned beneath said upper horizontal grill between saidfireboxes and further maintaining the spacing of said fireboxes; abottom support frame positioned below said fireboxes and maintainingsaid fireboxes and said drip pan spaced above the bottom of saidhousing, said bottom support frame having a plurality of legs resting onthe bottom of said housing and side members supported by said legsextending lengthwise and widthwise in said housing and supporting saidfireboxes, said side members having a plurality of inwardly extendingarms supporting said drip pan, said fireboxes, upper horizontal grill,drip pan, and bottom support member being maintained in assembledrelationship solely by upward and lateral restraint imposed by eachother and said housing to permit them to be assembled and disassembledmerely by being lowered in and lifted out of said housing.